NFL Recent Player News

Ridley is visiting the Miami Dolphins, who are in the market for a backup to Lamar Miller.

Analysis: Ridley is recovering from ACL knee surgery and was limited to six games last year with the Patriots. His best season was in 2012, when he ran for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Patriots took him in the third round of the 2011 draft.

Analysis: The star receiver also said he'll bypass Peyton Manning's annual passing camp next week at Duke, where the five-time MVP QB works on his timing with his wide receivers. Thomas said if a long-term deal isn't reached, he'd sign the Broncos' $12.823 million franchise tender by the July 15 deadline.

The Panthers announced they've signed free agent running back/kick returner Jordan Todman from the Jacksonville Jaguars to a one-year contract.

Analysis: Todman, 25, has spent the last three seasons with the Jaguars. He played in all 16 games in 2014, carrying 32 times for 186 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown. He also caught 25 passes for 198 yards with a 23-yard score. He could contribute on special teams, too.

The Panthers have claimed offensive tackle Jonathan Martin off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. The move was announced Friday.

Analysis: The 6-foot-5, 315 Martin was the primary victim in the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal involving Richie Incognito in 2013. Martin, a former second-round pick by Miami in 2012, started 32 of 38 games in three NFL seasons with Miami (2012-13) and San Francisco (2014). He played left and right tackle.

The Carolina Panthers have signed free agent wide receiver Jarrett Boykin from the Green Bay Packers to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not released Friday.

Analysis: Boykin has appeared in 39 games with 11 starts in three seasons for the Packers, recording 57 catches for 731 yards and three touchdowns. His best season came in 2013 when he had 49 receptions for 681 yards and three TDs.

The Minnesota Vikings and veteran cornerback Terence Newman have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, reuniting him with coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings announced the deal Friday.

Analysis: Newman will play again for Zimmer, who was his defensive coordinator for four seasons in Dallas and two in Cincinnati. Newman played the last three years for the Bengals after nine with the Cowboys, who drafted him with the fifth overall pick out of Kansas State in 2003.

The Bengals brought back Sims on Thursday, signing him as an unrestricted free agent from Oakland.

Analysis: Sims was Cincinnati's third-round pick in 2008 and spent five seasons with the Bengals before leaving as a free agent. He spent the last two seasons with the Raiders, playing in 32 games with a total of 85 tackles. He has seven career sacks and one interception.

The 49ers waived Martin, announcing the move Thursday. The Niners acquired Martin last March in a deal with Miami. Martin had left the Dolphins in October 2013 after accusing teammate Richie Incognito of bullying. An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of Martin.

Analysis: Martin started seven games at right tackle last season in place of injured Anthony Davis. He struggled in that role and allowed 7 1/2 sacks, according to STATS.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed Aiyegbusi, announcing the move Thursday. Aiyegbusi, whose name is pronounced bah-BUH'-toon-day ah-YEG'-boo-see, is a native of Olesnica, Poland. The 6-foot-9, 351-pounder played for the Dresden Monarchs of the German Football League in 2014, helping the club to an appearance in the semifinals.

Analysis: In 2013, Aiyegbusi helped the Wroclaw Giants to the Polish American Football League Championship. The 27-year-old tackle becomes the fifth Polish-born player in NFL history.

Shelby has signed his restricted tender offer and will make $2.4 million this year. Shelby, who signed Thursday, provides depth in a front four upgraded with the recent signing of tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Analysis: Shelby, a three-year veteran, saw significant playing time off the bench last year at both tackle and end. He had 21 tackles and three sacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed Heyward-Bey to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Analysis: The 28-year-old Heyward-Bey served primarily on special teams for the Steelers in 2014 after coming over from Indianapolis. Heyward-Bey caught three passes for 33 yards last season, including a 17-yard third-down conversion against Houston on Oct. 20 that helped the Steelers pick up valuable field position in a win that helped propel Pittsburgh to an AFC North title.

Analysis: The 6-foot-7, 265-pound Davis signed with the Giants last offseason, but was cut during the summer. He was signed by the Lions in October, released and then re-signed and played in six games, mostly as a blocker.

Nelson has had offseason surgery on his hip. A person with knowledge of Nelson's surgery told The Associated Press it was the hip. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Packers coach Mike McCarthy did not specify what part of the body was operated on.

Analysis: McCarthy said Wednesday the recovery period could take six to eight weeks. Nelson had a career-high 98 catches and 1,519 yards receiving to go with 13 touchdowns as the top target for Aaron Rodgers during the quarterback's MVP campaign.

Dallas coach Jason Garrett Hardy must "do the right things from the beginning" to be part of the Cowboys. Hardy signed a one-year, $13 million free agent contract with the Cowboys, with only $1 million guaranteed. The rest of the money is tied to incentives.

Analysis: Garrett said the team talked to people going all the way back to Hardy's high school days in determining whether to sign him. The talented but troubled defensive end was convicted in North Carolina last July of assaulting a female and communicating harassment, but the case was dismissed after Hardy reached a settlement with the victim.

The Buffalo Bills' courtship of Charles Clay lasted more than a week before they finally lured the tight end from Miami.

Analysis: Clay identified the Bills as a team on the rise before the free agency period began, and is excited to finally join Buffalo's revamped offense. The Bills made Clay one of their top free-agent targets. He traveled to Buffalo by private jet on March 10, the first day of the league's signing period, and spent several days in the area before signing a five-year, $38 million contract on March 17.